A highly-decorated officer of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Col. Muhammad Abu Ali was on Friday killed after Boko Haram terrorists attacked a 119 Battalion Nigerian Army location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno State.
Until his death, Ali was the commanding officer 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.
The troops which fought gallantly to repel the attack, killed 14 of the attackers.
However, four soldiers were killed, while four others sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter.
The loss of Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali, was a big blow to the Nigerian Army as he has been described as one of the finest and most courageous officer currently deployed against Boko Haram.
Ali’s exceptional bravery and gallantry gave him an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at Gamboru Ngala on 9th September 2015 during an operational visit.
The late officer played a gallant role in one of the army’s fiercest-ever battles with Boko Haram, in February 2015, culminating in the recapture of Baga from insurgents.
He was also a key part of the capture of Gamboru-Ngala. During that decoration, Buratai praised Ali for his “courage, bravery and exceptional performance in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists”
